How to Maintain a Clean Home with 2 Dogs
Two dogs mean double the love and double the mess, usually. With fur to shed and messy paws, odors and toys all over the house, cleaning a home with two dogs can seem like a full-time project. But with routine habits, intelligent cleaning tips, and some useful resources, you can have a clean, fresh living space without missing time with your canine buddies. Here's a complete guide to maintaining a neat and cozy home while having two dogs.
Develop a Consistent Grooming Schedule
Daily or weekly grooming is the key to maintaining pet hair and odors. Groom your dogs daily or at least a few times per week to brush off loose hair before it has time to fall onto furniture and floors. Deshedding tools of good quality specifically for your dogs' coat type will cut down on shedding dramatically.
Shampooing your dogs once a month, or more often if they become dirty, keeps their coats clean and minimizes odors. Don't over-bathe to preserve natural oils in their skin. Also, clip nails regularly and clean ears to keep them generally clean. Cleaning your dogs' paws after outdoor excursions keeps dirt and mud from being tracked inside. Having a cleaning station at the door using towels or pet wipes makes it simple and easy.
Vacuum and Mop Often
Regular vacuuming is paramount in a household of multiple dogs. Take advantage of a pet-hair-friendly vacuum with powerful suction and specific brushes for trapping fur trapped in carpet and furniture. Vacuum busy paths and areas where your dogs sleep every other day or more frequently during peak shedding months.
Follow up vacuuming with regular mopping of hard surfaces with pet-safe cleaners to clean away dirt and odor. Rubber brooms and microfiber dusters are great for speedy fur pickup on multiple surfaces between thorough cleans.
Protect Furniture and Fabrics
Dogs adore snuggly places, but their fur and dirt can soon dirty furniture. Place washable slipcovers or blankets on sofas and chairs to trap fur and stains. These can be washed regularly to keep your living areas clean.
Wash your dogs' beds, blankets, and any fabrics they use regularly weekly. Selecting sturdy, machine-washable materials makes maintenance easier. Restricting your dogs' access to some rooms of furniture can also minimize cleaning requirements.
Control Odors and Cleanse the Air
Pet odors are prevalent in households with several dogs but can be managed. Install air purifiers with HEPA filters to capture dander, dust, and odor particles, and enhance indoor air quality. Open the windows every day for circulation of fresh air and to eliminate stale odors. Bake and sprinkle carpets and furniture with baking soda to absorb odors before vacuuming. Enzyme-based cleaners help eliminate urine or other organic stains that create persistent odors.
Organize and Clear Pet Spaces
Having your dogs' toys, leashes, and grooming supplies organized eliminates clutter and cleaning is made easier. Store the toys in baskets or bins and rotate them so that your dogs stay interested without overpopulating your space. Create distinct areas for eating, resting, and playing. Position mats beneath food and water dishes to catch spills and crumbs and make cleaning easier.
Leverage Intelligent Cleaning Gadgets and Technology
Scheduled robotic vacuums that operate daily may keep floors free of fur with little effort. Lint rollers, rubber gloves, and wet microfiber cloths easily pick up hair from clothing and furniture. Invest in washable rugs and mats that are cleaned regularly to contain dirt tracked by your dogs. Reducing the number of rugs and selecting easy-to-clean floors such as tile or laminate also assists.
Consider Professional Cleaning Services
Even with the best maintenance, deep cleaning is required to remove imbedded fur, dander, and odor. Professional cleaning services can give thorough treatments that revitalize your home environment.
Locally, Seattle Green Maids provides environmentally friendly cleaning specifically for pet owners, providing a safe and effective clean. For those outside of Seattle, Sparkly Maid Miami and Sparkly Maid NYC offer professional home cleaning that takes into account the special challenges of multi-dog homes. These services can assist in keeping a sparkling, fresh-smelling home, allowing you to spend more time enjoying your dogs.
Keeping a two-dog home clean demands commitment, but it's well within reach with the proper habits and equipment. Daily grooming, regular cleaning, and intelligent organization keep odors and fur at bay. When necessary, professional cleaning services such as Sparkly Maid Miami and Sparkly Maid NYC are there to augment your efforts, while Seattle Green Maids offers reliable local eco-friendly options.
